Clarifying the Difference: AP and IB
ZACH GENUS | OCT. 10, 2017 | FEATURES
Retrieved from Google Images
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (SCPDA) — A decision to attend Stanton College Preparatory School, comes with the choice of whether to enroll in the Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Though some consider the differences between the AP and IB programs to be insignificant, others see them as major distinctions worthy of serious consideration before making a choice which may influence their academic success. The benefits of both programs can be seen in the testimonies of students who have been a part of them.
“Almost without fail, students that come back to Stanton will have anecdotes about how their college experience was informed by what they did at Stanton,” said Stanton IB coordinator Ben Nasrallah. “It’s almost always ‘When I was in Stanton it was tough, but now that I’m out it’s so much easier.’”
According to their organization’s websites, both AP and IB offer significantly more rigorous courses than the standard U.S. high school academic program. AP courses have been the default choice for high school students looking for a more demanding high school experience for quite some time. The College Board has reported that AP has been a part of education in the U.S. since 1955 while the IB program has more recently become more common in schools. According to the IB website, the program became a part of U.S. education in 1971.
Both the IB the AP programs pride themselves on their ability to provide students with rigorous college level courses which are designed to help students who excel stand out to college admissions counselors, earn college credits and build up the skills necessary to be successful undergraduate students. These similarities can cause students to wonder what makes the programs different from each other.
“The IB program deliberately tries to add global perspectives and cultural perspectives, so in that sense it does add an extra dimension.”
The IB program’s goal, as stated on the IB website, is to, “develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.” In addition to the focus on college preparation and admission, the IB track is designed to promote an appreciation for other cultures through courses influenced in part by foreign educational systems.
“The IB program deliberately tries to add global perspectives and cultural perspectives, so in that sense it does add an extra dimension,” said Mr. Nasrallah. “Especially at Stanton with our teachers who have been so well trained and understand how to bring in different cultural aspects to the classes, I think it definitely adds something to the curriculum.”
A student’s decision of whether to enroll in AP or IB is based on their assessment of the benefits that will best suit them as an individual. However, some students do not see the differences between the programs as significant and make a decision based on what they feel will be most comfortable for them.
“When it actually comes down to the line IB doesn’t really matter,” said junior Karl McLendon. “You don’t get more credits for IB so there’s no real point in killing myself trying to do IB work when I could just do the AP work and get along just fine.”
There are subject specific benefits which may push them to pick one program over the other. Depending on what field a student wants to go into, electing to enroll in either AP rather than IB, or vice-versa, may prove to be more beneficial.
“I think students who are STEM or science brained tend to get a little bit more out of it [IB] because you can double up on your sciences and you have a little bit more flexibility with that,” said Mr. Nasrallah.
“Some IB students look down on AP students. We are all students at Stanton, it shouldn’t happen, but it does.”
There is an element of division between some AP and IB students concerning the issue of which program is superior to the other. This dynamic between students can cause dissension at schools such as Stanton which have both programs.
“Some IB students look down on AP students,” said junior Branyon Skinner. “We are all students at Stanton, it shouldn’t happen, but it does.”
Some admit that their perception of what is best for themselves is influenced in large part by the opinions of their peers as well as rumors concerning the benefits and difficulties which accompany each option.
“I chose AP because I’ve heard horror stories about IB and I didn’t want to spend all of high school doing work,” said junior Maddy Cardozo.
According to Stanton guidance counselor Mr. Kyle Fessenden, setting academic goals and pursuing the highest achievements in every area is of great importance to Stanton students trying to prepare themselves for successful adult lives. When making potentially crucial decisions, these students want to be informed objectively so they can be confident in the choices they make. Whether their preference is AP or IB, students who are well informed about their choice will be more certain of the success their academic futures hold.
This story appeared in Volume 34, Issue 1 of the Devil's Advocate, published in October 2017. Read the full issue here.